Mike Schmidt Hitting Coach in Spring Training

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mike Schmidt stared at the TV for half an hour following Game 5 of the 2011 National League Division Series. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

The Phillies’ Hall of Fame third baseman is in camp again as a special instructor, but his role has changed this spring. Schmidt will be in camp longer than he has been in the past, when he typically stayed for little more than a week. Now he might stay through the middle of March, or longer. His duties have changed, too. He floated around in the past, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has asked Schmidt to be more involved with the hitting programs.